How sore you feel afterward is not a complete description of a workout. A useful lower-body log records the actual exercises, sets, settings, and relevant context. Those details help you repeat the session and make informed adjustments. Focusing only on how dramatic the next day feels can distract from the quality and consistency of the work itself.
Write down the exact variations you perform. Include machine settings or stance notes when they help you recreate the setup. Mark any substitutions clearly. A different exercise order or piece of equipment can change the session, so preserve that context instead of treating every result as a direct comparison with the previous week.
Observe execution as well as the numbers. Did the final repetitions remain controlled? Was the setup comfortable and repeatable? If something caused pain or felt concerning, stop and seek appropriate guidance rather than using the log to justify continuing. A record is a tool for understanding, not an instruction to complete every planned entry regardless of circumstances.
Review several sessions together and identify a practical next action. You might keep a useful setting, reduce an overly long list, or discuss a technical question with a coach. Progress becomes easier to interpret when the evidence describes the work. A clear record gives you more to learn from than a single feeling after an unusually demanding day.